Two-neutrino double electron capture of 124Xe in the first LUX-ZEPLIN exposure

The LZ collaboration, E. Bishop, A. S.J. Murphy, A. Nguyen, K. Y. Oyulmaz, Harkirat Riyat, S. Shaw

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The broad physics reach of the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment covers rare phenomena beyond the direct detection of dark matter. We report precise measurements of the extremely rare decay of 124Xe through the process of two-neutrino double electron capture, utilizing a 1.39 kg × yr isotopic exposure from the first LZ science run. A half-life of T12/n22EC = (1.09 ± 0.14 stat ± 0.05sys ) × 1022 yr is observed with a statistical significance of 8.3σ, in agreement with literature. First empirical measurements of the KK capture fraction relative to other K-shell modes were conducted, and demonstrate consistency with respect to recent signal models at the 1.4σ level.

Original languageEnglish
Article number015103
Pages (from-to)1-14
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics
Volume52
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Dec 2024

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • dark matter detectors
  • double electron capture
  • nuclear decays
  • rare decays
  • time projection chambers
  • xenon detectors

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